Methylation: how it shapes the ageing process

When people talk about “biological age,” they’re often referring to something measured  within our DNA — a process called methylation. It’s one of the most powerful and measurable molecular clues we have about how well (or how fast) we’re ageing.

So what exactly is it, and why does it matter for healthy ageing and longevity?

What is DNA methylation?

Every cell in your body carries the same DNA. What makes a skin cell different from a brain cell isn’t the genetic code itself — it’s which genes are switched on or off.
That’s where methylation comes in.

Methylation is the addition of a small chemical tag — a methyl group — to your DNA. These tags act like switches, controlling how certain genes are expressed. Over time, environmental stressors, nutrition, lifestyle habits (thanks to our model - taking one for the team in the pic above!), sleep, environmental toxins, and even stress can alter these switches.

When methylation patterns change in ways that affect key cellular processes, it can accelerate the biological ageing process.

Methylation and biological ageing

In 2013, researchers developed the first epigenetic clock — a tool that uses DNA methylation patterns to estimate biological age. Since then, studies have shown that people with “younger” methylation profiles tend to have better overall health, longer healthspans, and even improved cognitive and metabolic outcomes.

In other words: methylation is one of the best reflections of how your body is really ageing — not just how old you are on paper.

Why it matters for longevity

Good methylation supports the optimal expression of genes involved in energy production, inflammation control, and cellular resilience — all important pillars for supporting longevity and healthy ageing.

As we age, preserving balanced methylation helps maintain the body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate — keeping your biological clock ticking more slowly.

At Camino, our approach to longevity is rooted in the science of methylation. By supporting cellular vitality through targeted nutrients, we aim to help your body maintain the delicate balance that underpins how you age from the inside out.

The takeaway

Methylation is more than a buzzword — it’s a biological language that tells your body how to function, adapt, and age.

Supporting those methylation pathways through daily lifestyle choices and science-backed supplementation can help keep that conversation going in your favour — so you can live better, for longer.